Key facts

Language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component

Study abroad option: YesWork placement option: Yes

Overview

Linguistics is the study of how language works – how it is structured, used and understood. This degree allows you to study linguistics in the context of the English language, so you can develop a deep understanding of the way humans communicate with each other.

Core modules will introduce you to the history, structure and use of the English language and give you a good grounding in areas such as phonetics, syntax and conducting language research. But you’ll also choose from a wide range of optional modules covering subjects such as language acquisition, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and discourse analysis.

You’ll study language in its spoken and written forms – you’ll engage with texts, but also undertake fieldwork and data analysis, gaining a wide range of skills that stand out to employers.

Specialist facilities

Leeds has some fantastic resources for the study of linguistics and phonetics. We have a recording studio and fully-equipped phonetics lab for acoustic and articulatory speech analysis, as well as a linguistics lab including eye-tracking equipment and other resources to help with experimental research.

Our partnership with the M&S Company Archive, which is housed at the University, allows us to explore language use over a century of Marks & Spencer’s heritage.

We encourage all of our students to make use of these facilities for module projects or dissertations, giving you valuable experience of different types of research.

Course content

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

In your first year, you’ll study core modules introducing you to the history and structure of the English language, as well as the key concepts of linguistics and phonetics such as how speech sounds are produced, how grammars are organised and how language conveys meaning.

You’ll then be able to build on that knowledge in the following year, when you’ll learn more about phonetics and syntax in linguistics, and the social functions of language in English. At the same time, you’ll be able to choose from a range of optional modules. In linguistics, this could mean studying language and gender, language acquisition or psycholinguistics, while in English you could study the language of the media or forensic linguistics.

By your final year, you’ll be able to apply the critical skills you’ve gained to an independently researched dissertation in either subject. You’ll then choose at least two optional modules in that subject, and up to two in the other subject. Optional modules span across the full range of English and Linguistics, in areas such as language processing, language and gender, or the politics of language.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods so you can make the most of our tutors’ knowledge and experience. Lectures, seminars and tutorials are all part of the mix and in some cases workshops may also be involved.

However, we attach a lot of importance to building your research and critical skills, so independent study is also an important part of the degree. Support is on hand, and the University Library offers training programmes to help you get the best from our excellent library resources.

Assessment

Exams and essays are the most common forms of assessment that we use, but in some modules oral presentations and group work may also be included. We run extra classes throughout your degree on key issues like structuring an essay, public speaking and exam technique.

Entry requirements, fees and applying

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including A in English and excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking

Access to HE Diploma

Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. The Access course must include English modules. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.

BTEC

We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3, M1, M1 including D3 in English.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in English at Higher Level.

Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in English

Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

AB in Advanced Highers including A in English and AABBB in Highers, or A in English in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers.

Welsh Baccalaureate

The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

Other Qualifications

European Baccalaureate: 80% including 85% in English.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be ABB at A Level including A in English (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking) and grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Alternative entry

Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

English language requirements

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for the programme may be able to study an English for Academic Purposes pre-sessional course with a progression route to the degree programme. For information and entry requirements, read Pre-sessional programmes.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If youre unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Fees

For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2018, the fee for 2018/19 will be £9,250.

The fee for undergraduate students starting in 2019 will be confirmed in September 2018.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students in 2018-19 will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Career opportunities

A degree in English Language and Linguistics equips you with valuable skills for a range of careers. You will have used both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and developed a varied set of skills across arts-based and scientific disciplines.

You’ll be able to study and analyse different types of data, including qualititative and quantitative, and use technology to solve problems. You’ll have an advanced understanding of communication and strong research skills, while you’ll be able to think critically about the information you find. What’s more, because you’ve managed two subjects during your Joint Honours degree, you’ll have good organisational and time management skills.

As a result, graduates have pursued a wide range of careers including publishing, law, advertising and marketing, journalism, education, charity work and business and finance. Many also move into postgraduate study, including further training for careers in roles such as teaching or speech and language therapy.

We do everything we can to support your career ambitions. As well as the chance to study abroad or spend a year working in industry, you could choose to apply for one of the internships the University offers every year to gain real work experience and explore career options.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. Thats one
of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most
of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find
out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of
help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed
decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Placement opportunities

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.